Isabel Hardman

Isabel Hardman is assistant editor of The Spectator and edits the Coffee House blog. She also presents Radio 4’s Week in Westminster.

Tory hawks aren’t happy with Sunak’s China stance

14 March 2023 5:06 am

The tougher language on China in today’s refreshed Integrated Review hasn’t been enough for a number of Conservative MPs, who…

Does Sunak have enough time to stop the boats?

8 March 2023 6:44 am

Rishi Sunak has just finished a press conference on his flagship legislation to curb illegal crossings in the Channel. The…

The horrifying cost of Hancock’s Covid testing targets

1 March 2023 8:01 pm

The Telegraph’s splash of leaked WhatsApp messages about Matt Hancock and care home testing is a devastating reminder of the…

The secular inquisition: why must Christian politicians defend their beliefs?

25 February 2023 9:00 am

Why is it only Christian politicians who have to defend their beliefs?

Why Kate Forbes is apologising

24 February 2023 3:47 am

Somewhat inevitably, Kate Forbes has issued a lengthy apology for her rather forthright comments on moral issues in the early…

Time is ticking for Sunak to resolve the Protocol

22 February 2023 2:53 am

Today was supposed to be the day when Rishi Sunak presented an agreement which resolved the issues over the Northern…

Are we really seeing a ‘great resignation’?

21 February 2023 3:52 am

Do over-fifties need to get back off the golf course and into work? That’s the narrative that ministers have been…

How Nicola Sturgeon views her own legacy

15 February 2023 10:44 pm

Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed her ‘intention’ to resign as First Minister, staying in office until her successor is elected. She…

Breaking: Nicola Sturgeon to quit

15 February 2023 9:14 pm

Nicola Sturgeon is expected to quit as First Minister of Scotland at a press conference later this morning. She has…

Should ex-MPs get a medal for their service?

8 February 2023 10:27 pm

Should ex-MPs get a medal thanking them for their service? That’s the suggestion of the Commons Administration Committee, which has…

Why are the Tories dragging their feet over public sector pay?

1 February 2023 10:25 pm

Why haven’t ministers sent their submissions to the independent pay review bodies for their sectors? That’s the question being asked…

Are Tory MPs resigned to defeat?

1 February 2023 1:22 am

A telling moment in today’s urgent question on the IMF’s economic outlook came when Angela Eagle pointed out the dearth…

Keir Starmer: ‘We haven’t won – yet’

28 January 2023 9:00 am

When Keir Starmer won the Labour leadership in 2020, following the party’s worst election defeat since 1935, many people shook…

Sunak fined by police for a second time

21 January 2023 5:53 am

In the past few minutes, Lancashire Police has confirmed that Rishi Sunak has received a fixed penalty notice for sitting…

Are the Tories serious about levelling up?

19 January 2023 11:26 pm

How serious are the Conservatives about levelling up? Their MPs have reportedly been told not to use the phrase in their…

Rishi Sunak bows to the Online Safety Bill rebels

18 January 2023 12:07 am

Rishi Sunak and Michelle Donelan will this afternoon bow to the inevitable and accept rebel changes to the Online Safety…

The looming challenge on police protest powers

17 January 2023 12:34 am

MPs and peers are going to spend the next few weeks in an almighty fight about strikes and protests. Today…

Is the Princess of Wales right about talking therapy?

15 January 2023 1:18 am

The Princess of Wales is in hot water for some remarks she made while visiting the Open Door charity in…

How long before Rishi Sunak goes off his own pledges?

7 January 2023 8:19 pm

When I was a student, my housemates and I would buy our groceries from a shop that offered only days…

Sunak: judge me on my priorities

5 January 2023 2:49 am

Rishi Sunak’s new year speech was more about what he wants to fix rather than how he plans to fix…

This wind U-turn proves Sunak is a risk management PM

7 December 2022 5:59 am

Another day, another U-turn: this time on onshore wind. To the surprise of no-one, the government has given in to…

The Tories’ migration policy problem

25 November 2022 4:55 am

Today’s net migration figures naturally present a problem for ministers in that they are going in the opposite direction to…

The Tory planning row is becoming increasingly bitter

24 November 2022 3:08 am

The Tories are really wheeling out all the greatest hits for party rows at the moment. Not content with a…

Why are MPs able to claim Christmas parties on expenses?

23 November 2022 1:27 am

What was Ipsa thinking? That’s the question MPs are asking today after it emerged that the parliamentary spending regulator has…

Labour’s attack lines are working

18 November 2022 12:24 am

Rachel Reeves is getting better and better as Shadow Chancellor. Mind you, her response to Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement was…